Influence of soil structure parameters created by preseedingtillage and their dynamics on moisture supply of corn

Abstract

Optimal agrophysical parameters of soil seed layer are still poorly understood and potentially cost-effective way to
crop yields increase. The purpose of research was to determine the effect soil structural parameters of on moisture
supply of corn during the growing season, depending on the type of preplant tillage (conventional and model with
optimal agrophysical parameters of seed layer) and its productivity. The object of research was dark gray podzolized
heavy loam soil and low-humus сhernozem typical heavy loam (Slobozhanskiy experimental field, Komunar, Kharkiv
district, Kharkiv region). Corn is grown in production conditions and in model experiment. Experimental studies are
carried out in 2013. Conventional seedbed preparation was cultivation to a depth of 6-8 cm after plowing to a depth of
22-25 cm. The optimal structural composition of soil created in the model experiment manually. Soil moisture content
and bulk density was determined in three terms at a depth of 50 cm. Total moisture reserves were calculated in terms
of the bulk density and moisture content.
The different agrophysical conditions in sowing soil layer were created in field and in model experiment. Weather
conditions affect the on moisture supply of corn plants. In 2013 during the growing season of this crop moisture
reserves in the layer 0-40 cm increased from the beginning to the end of the growing season, creating favorable
moisture conditions both in production and in model experiments.
The structural composition of dark gray podzolized soil was very different in production and in model experiment.
Particles of agronomically valuable sizes in sowing soil layer under production conditions during the growing season
of corn was less in the model experiment and lumpes was more. Structuring factor of seed soil layer of production
fields was in practice ten times less than in a model experiment.
Traditional tillage, including preplant one forms the much worse structural composition of soil than optimal soil
structure for corn growing.
Creating of optimal agrophysical parameters of soil seed layer provides favorable moisture conditions for corn, not
inferior for the moisture conditions by traditional cultivation technology. In the model experiment with optimal
agrophysical conditions of seed layer of soil twice higher corn yields than production conditions was obtained.